Police find several neglected children in Zaurland - and drugs in the mother's possession
A shocking case of child neglect was uncovered in the city of Menden in the Sauerland region, after a driver saw a small child barefoot and wearing light clothing in freezing temperatures, prompting him to immediately notify the police and initiate a large-scale security operation.
The police entered an apartment building and found six children aged between two and eleven living in neglect. According to the authorities of Märkischer Kreis, the group included three boys and three girls, and none of the parents were present at the location when they were found.
The children's mother later returned to the apartment and was questioned by the police. The father, who is presumed to reside at the same address, has not been contacted so far. The parents are under investigation on suspicion of causing bodily harm through negligence, but authorities have confirmed that there is currently no reason to detain them.
During the apartment search, police officers also found cannabis and other drugs, leading to additional investigations on drug possession charges. Ambulance services were called, and the children were taken to the hospital for necessary examinations, with authorities confirming that their lives were not in immediate danger.
The mayor of the city of Minden, Manuela Schmidt, visited the accident site, emphasizing that the safety of children was the top priority. The city's Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) took the children into temporary protection and secured accommodation for them. Fire crews also inspected the building as a precautionary measure, finding no structural or environmental hazards.